Is it time to be concerned about Helton's back?

Two things have me concerned about Todd Helton’s back, even when he continues to tell me it’s not a big deal. One, he would rather eat a cactus than not play. And tough, he’s crazy tough. So the fact he has started just once since Sunday screams that his back is bothering him a little more than he’s letting on.

It’s been an inssue since he took batting practice Monday in San Diego and was scratched from the lineup. He’s been dealing with soreness and stiffness that is sapping the strength in his legs.
“It feels about the same as it did (Monday). I am not concerned yet,’’ said Helton. “I could wake up tomorrow and feel brand new.’’

He’s going through treatment with the trainers to get him back on track. But I have a feeling he’s going to play sparingly until the all-star break so they can get him healthy. If there was any doubt that he wasn’t available Friday, it came in the eighth when Melvin Mora was inserted as defensive replacement for Jason Giambi.

The cameras don't lie. A couple of times on Thursday the FSN cameras caught Helton in some serious pain in the dugout. After Carlos Gonzalez hit his home run in the first inning on Thursday Helton was cringing on the rail of the dugout…then he was doing some stretching very gingerly. I hope for all Rockies fans that Helton isn't as hurt as he was in 2008…if he is, we might be seeing the end of a legend.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.